Big Brothers Big Sisters

On a spring morning, participants from Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Northeast Indiana came together at Foster Park in Fort Wayne, IN to celebrate their local birds. The 18 participants, including 11 children, were eager to get involved in the scientific study and have fun at the same time!

Before departing on a walk through the flower gardens, the BBBS staff distributed binoculars and a bird identification guide to each child.  During the nature walk, participants learned interesting facts about birds and their habitats.  The group found success in their search for our focal bird species, and even spotted additional ones! There was some flooding in the park, which meant water birds had come to visit.  They used another resource, the Birds of Northern Indiana guide, to research as a team.

After returning from the walk, the children discussed what they had noticed and learned, and entered their observations on the Celebrate Urban Birds online data form.  Then it was time for an arts and crafts activity. Each junior birder received a feeder to decorate and later take home to hang outside their bedroom windows.

To conclude the event, BBBS served refreshments and answered any lingering questions from curious new birders, then sent each junior participant home with birdseed and a suet feeder.

Thank you, Big Brothers Big Sisters of NEI, for hosting such a fun and inspiring event!  We hope it has unleashed the curious birder in every child!